Friday October 26th

This week we had a visit from Green Calgary. We learned about what happens in landfills when it rains and leachate gets in to the ground. We did an experiment to find out the best materials to put in a landfill to protect the earth and water. We made our own mini landfills and poured in fake leachate to test out the materials. We discovered that the best materials are clay, foam, fake grass and plastic. 

We continued analyzing the classrooms' waste management systems by going through their garbage bins, recycle bins and compost bins. We found out what mistakes each class is making by putting waste in the wrong bin.

In Math we began addition using the base ten block strategy. We drew base ten block pictures to represent the numbers we were trying to add. We learned that when the ones, tens or hundreds added together to be more than 10, we traded 10 blocks in for one of the next higher blocks. 

We also started solving word problems using the acronym CUBES strategy. It stands for:

C - Circle the important numbers.
U - Underline the question.
B - Box the math vocabulary.
E - Choose the type of Equation.
S - Solve the equation and double check. Write a     
     Sentence to answer the question.

In writing we continued making strong sentences using the 4 S's of strong writing. 

In Art we learned some sketching skills such as pressure control, smooth shading and light angles. We practiced these skills by sketching pictures of gourds. 

In Social Studies we started to draw maps of the boundaries of the regions of Alberta. 

Next Week's Spelling Pattern:

R-Controlled Vowels - Bossy R! 

When the letter r follows a vowel, the vowel is usually forced to change its sound. That’s why we call it the “Bossy R.” In most small words with one vowel in the middle, that vowel has a short vowel sound as in the words bad, hen, sit, fox, and fun. 

The sound of the vowel changes if we replace the last letter of each of these words with the letter r: 

Fat changes to far

Cat changes to car

Hen changes to her

Sit changes to sir

Fox changes to for

Fun changes to fur. 

Reminders:

In-line Skating - Please return the signed blue form for in-line skating by Thursday November 1st. We will be starting our first session on Friday November 2nd. Please have your child bring their helmet to school if they have one. 

Halloween - This year at Panorama Hills School students will be allowed to dress up for Halloween. This will take place in the afternoon only on October 31st. If you choose to partake in this activity, please ensure your child has a costume that can be worn under, or easily put on over their clothes. Because of the high volume of children changing all at once, they won't be able to use the bathrooms to change into their costumes. Wearing a costume is optional. Your child may wear orange or black clothes, Panorama Hills School spirit wear, or their regular clothes. 

Winter Weather Clothes - Please remember to have children bring snow pants and boots during the colder, wet season. The field can get very wet as snow melts. Extra socks in their backpack would be great as well.